Although Black Leopards were the first to score, they ended up losing their ABSA PSL match against Free State Stars 1-2 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

It took the visitors 19 minutes to make the first goal attempt. Dove Wome unleashed from the left corner but the Leopards keeper, Ayanda Mtshali, refused to see his side concede an early goal. He stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save.

Leopards’ coach, Mr Ian Palmer, was forced to effect an early change to his starting line-up. The team’s leading goal scorer, Rodney Ramagalela, sustained an injury and he was replaced with Thabo Mongalo. No goal was scored during the first half.

Lidoda Duvha took the lead twelve minutes into the last half. Thabo Mongalo received an excellent pass from Michael Nkambule and took his time before beating the visitors’ keeper with a ground cutter. Things turned against the home side in the 67th minute when they conceded an own goal. Anver Esterhuizen released from the centre of the pitch. Although the ball was off target, the Leopards’ left back, Vincent Xakane, deflected it into his own net in an attempt to clear.

Leopards effected two more changes to their original line-up later in the game. They introduced Edgar Manaka and Raymond Manama for Tiyani Mabunda and Michael Nkambule respectively. Stars replaced Moeketsi Mvula with Thapelo Mkhatshwa in the 78th minute. That was a clever move on the part of the Stars coach. Mkhatswa scored Stars’ winning goal on the stroke of full time following a neat pass from Paulos Masehe.